Kinetic Theory of Gases and Plasmas

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Introduction

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 1-14

3. Balance Equations

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 15-32

4. Klimontovich Equation, B.B.G.K.Y.-Hierarchy and Vlasov-Maxwell Equations

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 33-50

5. Derivation and Properties of the Boltzmann Equation

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 51-91

6. Chapman-Enskog Theory: Asymptotic Solution to the Boltzmann Equation; Transport Coefficients

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 92-132

7. Kinetic Theory of Plasmas in the Binary Collision Approximation

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 133-178

8. B.G.K.-Model and the Slip Problem

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 179-203

9. Kinetic Theory of Plasmas, Including Dynamical Screening

   • P. P. J. M. Schram

   Pages 204-233

10. Linear Response Theory

    • P. P. J. M. Schram

    Pages 234-277

11. Brownian Motion

    • P. P. J. M. Schram

    Pages 278-319

12. Dense Gases. Renormalized Kinetic Theory

    • P. P. J. M. Schram

    Pages 320-358

13. Theory of (Slightly) Nonideal Plasmas

    • P. P. J. M. Schram

    Pages 359-407

14. Back Matter

    Pages 409-429

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Kinetic theory is the link between the non--equilibrium statistical mechanics of many particle systems and macroscopic or phenomenological physics. Therefore much attention is paid in this book both to the derivation of kinetic equations with their limitations and generalizations on the one hand, and to the use of kinetic theory for the description of physical phenomena and the calculation of transport coefficients on the other hand. The book is meant for researchers in the field, graduate students and advanced undergraduate students. At the end of each chapter a section of exercises is added not only for the purpose of providing the reader with the opportunity to test his understanding of the theory and his ability to apply it, but also to complete the chapter with relevant additions and examples that otherwise would have overburdened the main text of the preceding sections. The author is indebted to the physicists who taught him Statistical Mechanics, Kinetic Theory, Plasma Physics and Fluid Mechanics. I gratefully acknowledge the fact that much of the inspiration without which this book would not have been possible, originated from what I learned from several outstanding teachers. In particular I want to mention the late Prof. dr. H. C. Brinkman, who directed my first steps in the field of theoretical plasma physics, my thesis advisor Prof. dr. N. G. Van Kampen and Prof. dr. A. N. Kaufman, whose course on Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics in Berkeley I remember with delight.

• Boltzmann equation
• H-theorem
• Liouville equation
• differential equation
• diffusion
• eigenvalue
• kinetic theory

• Department of Theoretical Physics, Technical University of Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

  P. P. J. M. Schram

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